The Past Within
- 2players
- 30–90 min
- PC
- Switch
An eerie two-player point-and-click puzzle game: one player is in the past, the other in the future.
Who can play
- No split-screen on any platform.
- Same room, own screens for 2 players on PC and Switch.
- Online for 2 players on PC and Switch.
- Crossplay between PC and Switch. Any mix of platforms works, including phones, because the two copies never connect.
- Each player online needs their own copy.
- PCGOGSee price (opens the store in a new tab)
- SwitchNintendo eShopSee price (opens the store in a new tab)
How it plays
Strictly for two.
Each player sees different rooms and puzzles and must describe clues to the other, so the whole game is a conversation.
There is no network link, so you can sit side by side or use any voice call, on any platform.
Both players need their own copy.
A run takes about two hours, and swapping roles gives new puzzles.
Is it good
94%
Very positive on Steam
- 69Top criticsOpenCritic · Jan 2023 (OpenCritic top critic average, 6 reviews, as of Jan 2023; opens OpenCritic in a new tab)
- 78%RecommendOpenCritic · Jul 2023 (OpenCritic critics who recommend it, 9 reviews, as of Jul 2023; opens OpenCritic in a new tab)
21 playing on Steam, counted dailySteam Deck Verified
Every way to play together
Crossplay between PC and Switch. Any mix of platforms works, including phones, because the two copies never connect. No split-screen.
- 2
The two games never connect; sit together and describe what you see.
- 2
No in-game connection or chat; talk over your own voice call.
Quick facts
- Developer
- Rusty Lake
- Platforms
- PC, Nintendo Switch
- Series
- Rusty Lake
- Released
- 2 Nov 2022 on PC
- Languages
- Text in 23 languages, voices in English
In these lists
Answers
- Does The Past Within have couch co-op?
- No. The Past Within has no same-screen multiplayer; play it together online instead.
- How many players can play The Past Within together?
- Local co-op on separate screens for up to 2 on PC and Switch. Online co-op for up to 2 on PC and Switch.
- Is The Past Within crossplay?
- Yes. Crossplay between PC and Switch. Any mix of platforms works, including phones, because the two copies never connect.
- One of 41 PC and Switch crossplay games
- Do you need two copies of The Past Within?
- Yes. Each player online needs their own copy.
- Can you play the The Past Within story together?
- Yes: the main campaign is playable together on a local network and online.
- Does The Past Within work on Steam Deck?
- Yes: Steam rates it Verified for Steam Deck.
- Is The Past Within free?
- No, it's a paid game.
